Apparatus for handling drilling fluid in connection with a derrick



July 17, 1956 P. J. BILY 2,755,068

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING DRILLING FLUID I IN CONNECTION WITH A DERRICK Filed March 10. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l III III 2 4 INVENTOR. /5

Pe/er f July 17, 1956 P. .1. BILY 2,755,068

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING DRILLING FLUID IN CONNECTION WITH A DERRICK Filed March 10, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Pe/er J: ,515/

syml mw United States Patent APPARATUS FOR HANDLING DRILLING FLUID IN CONNECTION WITH A DERRICK Peter J. Bily, Brea, Califl, assignor to Chiksan Company, Brea, Califi, a corporation of California Application March 10, 1952, Serial N 0. 275,737

8 Claims. (Cl. 255-24) This invention is concerned with apparatus for handling drilling fluid at or in connection with a derrick and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, practical, improved structure that is eflicient in handling drilling fluid between a supply pipe and a swivel, and which will operate under varying conditions, without requiring care or attention.

In the drilling of wells by the rotary method a kelly operating a drilling string is driven by a rotary unit while drilling fluid is supplied to the upper end of the kelly through a swivel. The kelly is operated vertically, usually in or adjacent a derrick, and a structure known as a rotary hose conducts the drilling fluid from a supply pipe to the swivel. It is common to form rotary hoses of the type mentioned of a plurality of tubular members, joined by swivel connections, and although such structures are generally satisfactory, they are ordinarily.

such as to require constant observation, in that they have a tendency to whip or kink in an undesirable manner under certain operating conditions.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a fluid handling structure serving to handle fluid between a supply pipe and a swivel, which structure is of simple, inexpensive and practical form and is such that it will operate uniformly and dependably and in a manner so that it does not require care or attention.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure including a derrick of the type wherein the kelly operates adjacent the exterior of the derrick and a fluid handling structure combined with the derrick to operate at the exterior thereof without in any way interfering with or damaging parts of the derrick or other equipment incidental to the derrick.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary hose or fluid handling structure for use in connection with a derrick, or the like, and a pivoted arm carrying the hose or connecting the inner end of the hose and the supply pipe, which arm swings vertically and normally projects outwardly or away from the swivel which is supplied with fluid, while the members of the hose itself extending between the outer end of the arm and the swivel extend in the opposite direction, or tend to fold inwardly rather than outwardly.

It is another object of this invention to provide a hose carrying structure serving to connect a supply pipe and the inner or receiving end of a rotary hose, which structure provides a satisfactory fluid connection and serves to aid and simplify the operation of the hose as it extends from the arm to the swivel supplied by the hose.

The structure provided by the present invention may be considered as including a derrick and in the form of the invention set forth in this application the derrick is of the type having a vertical frame laterally spaced or offset from the vertical axis of the well. The derrick handles a line which carries a traveling block in alignment with the well, and a swivel connects the traveling block and the kelly. A fluid supply pipe extends to a point a suitable distance above the floorof-the derrick and a vertical manifold is releasably coupled to the pipe and projects upwardly therefrom. A mounting;

means supports the manifold from the derrick and a head at the upper end of the manifold carries a tubular flow handling arm. The head provides for movement of the arm about a vertical axis coincidental with that of the manifold and about a horizontal axis intersecting that of the manifold. A carrier is provided to stop and support the arm in a substantially horizontal position where the arm projects outward or away from the derrick at the exterior thereof. A snubbing means acts between the arm and the carrier to prevent hammering of the arm against the carrier, and a releasable stop means governs the horizontal movement of the arm and the carrier which is combined therewith. A fluid delivering neck is provided at the outer end of the arm and is coupled to the arm by a swing joint, and a flexible duct extends from the neck to which it is releasably connected to the swivel, and a releasable connection is provided between the duct and the neck of the swivel. The flexible duct is characterized by a plurality of tubular members connected together by swivel joints and a head is provided at the end of the duct that connects to the swivel, which head provides for universal movement of the duct relative to the swivel.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the present invention, showing a derrick of the type which is laterally spaced from the vertical axis of the well and showing a fluid handling duct, arm and manifold connecting the fluid supply pipe and the swivel on the kelly which enters the well, the vertically movable parts being shown in full lines in a down position, and being shown in dotted lines in an up position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 22 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the structure, being a view taken substantially as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan section taken as indicated by line 44 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan section taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a part of the'structure, being a View taken as indicated by line 66 on Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a part of the structure, being a view taken asindicated by line 7-7 on Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a part of the structure, being a view taken as indicated by line 88 on Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is an enlarged View of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3, showing the parts in a different position. Fig. 10 is a view illustrating the connection betweenthe head on the fluid handling duct and the neck of the swivel and Fig. 11 is an enlarged view taken substantially as indicated. by line 1111 on Fig. 10. g I In the drawings, and particularly in Fig. 1, there-is illustrated a well W and a derrick A is disclosed located at or adjacent the well. The derrick involves, generally, a vertical frame 10 supportedby a foundation or base 11 so that it projects upwardly and is spaced somewhat laterally from the vertical axis of the well. A crown block 12 is carried by the frame and supports a line 13 which carries a traveling block'14 so the traveling block is in vertical alignment with the well. The traveling block is operable between a down position such as is shown in full lines in Fig. 1, and an up position such as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1', audit carries a swivel 15 provided at the upperend of a kelly16, which kelly Patented July 17, 1956;

extends into the well W through a rotary unit 17 and carries or operates a drill string, not shown.

The particular derrick frame illustrated in the drawings may be considered as a simple or conventional frame-like structure, rectangular in plan configuration, and it is illustrated as involving, generally, corner posts 20 and a suitable system of spacers and braces 21 connecting or extending between the corner posts.

A supply pipe 22 delivering drilling fluid is related to the derrick and is shown as extending upwardly at one of the forward corners of the derrick to a point intermediate the upper and lower positions of the swivel 15.

The elements provided to cooperate with or to be com bined with those mentioned include, generally, a manifold or stand pipe 25, a connection 26 joining the manifold and the supply pipe 22, mounting means 27 supporting the manifold on or from the frame 10 of the derrick, a tubular flow handling arm 28, a head 29 coupling the inner end of the arm to the upper end of the manifold, a carrier 30 adapted to stop and support the arm 28 in a substantially horizontal position, snubbing means 31 acting between the arm and the carrier, releasable stop means 32 adapted to limit horizontal movement of the arm 28 and the carrier combined therewith, a fluid delivering neck 33 at the outer end of the arm, a swing joint 34 coupling the neck and the arm, a flexible fluid-handling duct 35 adapted to extend from the neck on the arm to the neck of the swivel, a releasable connection 36 joining the duct to the neck on the arm and a releasable connection 37 joining the duct to the neck of the swivel.

The manifold may be a simple, straight, or substantially straight, elongate tubular element and in a preferred installation it is vertically disposed adjacent or immediately above the delivery end of the supply pipe 22. The manifold 25 preferably corresponds in size or capacity with the supply pipe and the coupling or connection 26 that joins the manifold and the supply pipe is preferably a releasable connection and, as shown in the drawings, particularly Fig. 7, it may be a typical unioniype connection.

The mounting means 27 supporting the manifold 25 on or from the frame 10 of derrick A, preferably rigidly supports the manifold in a fixed vertical position and in a preferred arrangement it supports the manifold at the exterior of the derrick, for instance at the outside of the derrick adjacent one of the front corner posts 20. In the particular case illustrated the means 27 includes vertically spaced mounting brackets 40 fixed to the derrick post 20 and projecting outwardly therefrom. The brackets have seat portions 41 receiving the manifold 25 and clamps 42 are secured to the brackets by releasable fasteners such as bolts 43. The clamps 42 retain the manifold in engagement with the seat portions of the brackets. The mounting means, as just described, supports the manifold 25 so that its lower end depends to receive the coupling 26 while its upper end projects upwardly to carry the head 29.

The arm 28 is preferably a tubular flow handling element and, in practice, may be a simple straight duct corresponding in size or capacity with the manifold 25. The arm 28 may, in practice, be varied as to its length or relationship to the other elements of the structure, it being preferred, however, that it be somewhat shorter than members of the duct 35, as will be hereinafter described. However, since it is at the exterior of the derrick it can, in practice, be made of any suitable length, as circumstances may require.

The head 29 couples the inner end of the arm 28 to the upper end of the manifold 25 so that the arm can swing about a vertical axis coincidental with that of the manifold and can also swing about a horizontal axis which intersects the vertical axis of the manifold. The particular head 29 illustrated in the drawings includes an L-shaped middle or body section 50, a lower straight vertical end section 51 connected to the upper'end of the manifold, and engaged with one end of the body section, and an upper horizontally disposed L-shaped end section 52 engaged with the other end of the body section 50 and receiving the inner end of the arm 28. Anti-friction bearing means 53 couple and pivotally connect the sections 50 and 51 and anti-friction bearing means 54 couple and pivotally connect sections 50 and 52. In the drawings, and particularly in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the anti-friction bearing means are shown connecting pin and socket portions of the connected sections and involve annular rows of balls adapted to be inserted into operating position or to be removed through access openings 55 normally closed by plugs 56.

In a preferred arrangement and relationship of parts the arm 28 extends outward or away from the front portion of the derrick A and somewhat forward therefrom, as shown in Fig. 2, and it is adapted to be operated between a down or substantially normal position, such as is shown in full lines in Fig. l and an up or inclined position such as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. l.

The carrier 30, as provided by the present invention, is adapted to stop or support the arm 28 in the down or substantially horizontal position, while leaving it free to turn or swing about the vertical axis provided by the head 29. It is preferred that the carrier be combined with or related to the head 29 and the manifold 25 so that it is supported by these elements and is at all times maintained in a predetermined position relative to the body section of the head 29.

In the form of the invention illustrated the carrier 30 is in the nature of a triangular frame and in such case it has a vertical inner post 60, a top horizontal beam 61, and a diagonal brace 62. The lower corner of the frame formed by the joinder of the post and the brace 62 is pivotally connected to the manifold 25 by one of the mounting brackets 40 to provide for rotation of the frame about the axis of the manifold. In the particular case illustrated a bearing sleeve 61 is fixed on the manifold 25 as by welding 62*, and a collar 63 is rotatably supported on the sleeve 61 and is provided with spaced lugs 64 receiving the lower corner of the frame and carrying a pin 65 by which the frame is held. At the upper inner corner of the frame of carrier 30 there is a connection between the frame and the body 50 of head 29. This connection is shown as including meshing or engaged lugs 66 and 67 on the body 50 and the frame of the carrier, respectively, which lugs are connected by a pin 68. The connection just described rigidly joins the frame of the carrier to the body of the head 29 so that as the body of the head turns about its vertical axis the frame of the carrier 30 likewise turns.

The carrier 30 includes a stop or rest 70 at the outer end of the beam portion 61 of the frame, and this rest is located in vertical alignment with the arm 28 and is at such elevation as to receive and stop the arm whcn it is substantially horizontal as shown in the drawings.

The snubbing means 31 is provided to check movement of the arm 29 as it moves downwardly into engagement with the rest 70 and in the case illustrated the snubber 31 is shown as including a striker 72 projecting from one of the elements and cooperating with a striker plate 73 yieldingly supported by the other element. In the case illustrated the striker 72 is shown carried by and projecting downward from the arm 28 while the striker plate 73 is pivotally mounted on the outer end of the frame of the carrier 30 by means of a pivot pin 74. A spring 75 normally yieldingly holds the striker plate 73 in an out position where it is in the path of the striker plate and as the arm 28 lowers into engagement with the rest or stop 70 the plate 73 is depressed against the spring 75. In the particular case illustrated the spring 75 is shown as acting on a slidably mounted pusher 76 which is guided by the frame of the carrier and which bears against the striker plate 73 to hold it out, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

The releasable stop means 32 is provided to normally limit or stop'horiz'ontal movement or swinging of arm 28 and serves to maintain the arm 28 in a position where it projects out and somewhat forward from one of the front corners of the frame of the derrick A. In the case illustrated themeans 32 includes a tongue 78 projecting from the frame of the carrier 30 past the manifold and to a position where the tongue cooperates with a stop pin slidably carried by the uppermost bracket 40 of the mounting means 27. The stop pin 79 is slidably carried by the upper bracket 40 so that it operates vertically, and a spring 80 supported in a suitable holder 81 normally yieldingly urges the pin upwardly and holds it in an operating position, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 8 of the drawings. The pin 79, when in operating position, is located between stop shoulders 82 on the tongue 78 and the shoulders 82 are spaced apart to allow for the desired horizontal pivotalmovement of arm 28 and of the carrier which moves horizontally with the arm. The pin 79 is adapted to be released to allow for free pivotal movement of the arm 28 and for this purpose an operating line or rod 84 is connected to the pin 79 and depends therefrom to a point convenient to an operator, for instance to a point adjacent the derrick floor. When the operating rod or line 84 is pulled down the pin 79 ismoved out of operating position against the resistance of spring 80, and when it is thus moved down it is clear of the tongue 78.

' The fluidvdelivering neck 33 is provided at or immediately beyond 'the outer end of arm 28 and the swing joint 34 connects the neck 33 to the outer end of arm 28. In the preferred construction the neck 33 is a simple, straight, fluid handling element while the swivel connection or joint 34 involves two pivotally connected L-shaped sections 90 and 91. The sections 90 and 91 may be pivotally or rotatably coupled as are sections of the head 28, that is, they may be rotatably connected by means or bearings including annular rows of balls. The L-shaped section 90 is carried'on the outer end of arm 28v and projects horizontally therefrom, while the section 91 which is pivoted to the section 90 rotatably carries the neck 33 by means of a suitable nipple 91 rotatably coupled to the section 91 by annular rows of balls 91 and to which the neck 33 is threadedly connected. Through the joint or connection 34 just described the neck 33 at the outer end of arm 28 is free to swing about a horizontal axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the arm 28. The details of the structure just described are illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

The flexible fluid handling duct involves a plurality of tubular members, preferably a plurality of straight tubular members corresponding in size or capacity with the.

arm 28, and the manifold 25. In the particular case illustrated the duct 35 includes an inner member 100, an outer member 101 and an intermediate member 102 between the members 100 and 101. Swivel joints 103 connect the ends of the intermediate member 102 to the members 100 and 101 and provide for movement between the members about an axis transverse of the members. The inner or fluid receiving end of the inner member 100 is connected to the neck 33 by the releasable connection 36 which, as illustrated in the drawings, may be in the nature of a union.

The duct includes at its outer or fluid delivering end a head 110 providing for universal movement between the outer or terminal end of duct member 101 and the neck 111 of the swivel 15. .In the particular case illustrated the head 110 is shown as including an L-shaped middle or body section 115, an L-shaped end section 116 pivoted to one end of the body section 115 and connected to the terminal end of duct 101, and an L-shaped end section 117 pivotally connected to the other end of the body section 115 and connected to the neck 111 by coupling 37. The coupling 37 is preferably a releasable connection or coupling and may be in the nature of a union such as is shown connecting the duct tothe neck 33; It is to be understood thatthe varioussections or elements of the head may be pivotally connected together by antifriction bearing means such as are provided to connect the relatively rotatable elements of the head 29.

With the construction hereinabove described, that is, with the derrick A having the manifold 25 mounted on it, as I have provided, and by having the arm carried by the manifold and connected to the swivel by means of the flexible duct in accordance with the arrangement I have provided, the swivel can be operated vertically between the positions shown in Fig. 1, while the flexible duct varies in position between that shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and that shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, and the fluid handling parts operate freely and without danger of buckling or kinking, with the result that the operator need not be concerned about the functioning of these parts and can carry out drilling operations without being concerned with or about the fluid handling elements and without danger of injuring or interfering with any of the equipment by reason of the fluid handling duct being connected between the fluid supply pipe and the swivel provided on the kelly.

It is highly important to observe that with the arrangement and relationship that I have provided the arm 28 provided on the manifold which is at the upper end of the supply pipe and which may be considered a part of the supply pipe, is maintained in a'position where it projects outwardly from or away from the derrick, whereas the various elements of the duct 35 are disposed to freely swing or operate between the positions shown in Fig. 1, and will so operate without any danger whatsoever of buckling or kinking, and the entire apparatus operates without undue swinging or horizontal operation of any of the fluid handling parts. The horizontal movement or swinging of the arm 28 is limited by the means 32 and thus undue horizontal swinging of the fluid handling parts is effectively checked or kept within reasonable limits.

In operation, as the kelly 16 and swivel 15.are operated vertically in the derrick A, the flexible duct 35 connected with and extending between the swivel and neck 33 at the outer end of the pivoted fluid handling arm 28, is urged and held away from and clear of the kelly and swivel by the arm 28. It will also be apparent that when the structure provided by the present inventionis in operation, the horizontal and vertical movement of the fluid handling arm 28 is limited and controlled by the carrier 30 and the releasable stop means 32 in a manner to control and assure proper flexing of the duct 35 so that the duct will not become damaged and will not swing about in a manner that could result in damage to the derrick or other equipment at or about the well site.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A structure applicable to a fluid handling element at a derrick and adapted to conduct fluid to a flexible fluid handling duct including, an elongate substantially vertical stand-pipe releasably connected to said element to project upwardly therefrom adjacent the derrick, mounting means on the stand-pipe releasably engaging the derrick, an elongate rigid tubular fluid handling arm, a fluid handling swivel head at one end of the arm and connected to the upper end of the stand-pipe for pivotal movement of the arm relative to the stand-pipe in a substantially vertical plane, a horizontally disposed carrier carried by said stand-pipe to project laterally from the upper end portion thereof and cooperatively related to the arm to be disposed below the arm and limit downward movement of the arm, and a fluid handling neck pivotally carried by the other end of the arm and adapted to be releasably connected with the said flexible fluid handling duct.

2. A structure applicable to a fluid handling element at a derrick and adapted to conduct fluid to a flexible fluid handling duct including, an elongate substantially vertical stand-pipe releasably connected to said element to project upwardly therefrom adjacent the derrick, mounting means on the stand-pipe releasably engaging the derrick, an elongate rigid tubular fluid handling arm, a fluid handling swivel head at one end of the arm and connected to the upper end of the stand-pipe for pivotal movement of the arm relative to the stand-pipe horizontally and in a substantially vertical plane, a horizontally disposed carrier pivotally carried by said stand-pipe at the upper end thereof to project laterally therefrom and adapted to be disposed below and limit downward movement of the arm, a stop member secured to the carrier and engageable with a part on the said mounting means for the stand-pipe and adapted to limit horizontal movement of the carrier and the arm, and a fluid handling neck pivotally carried by the other end of the arm and adapted to be releasably connected with the said flexible fluid handling duct.

3. A structure applicable to a fluid handling element at a derrick and adapted to conduct fluid to a flexible fluid handling duct including, an elongate substantially vertical stand-pipe releasably connected to said element to project upwardly therefrom adjacent the derrick, mounting means on the stand-pipe releasably engaging the derrick, an elongate rigid tubular fluid handling arm, a fluid handling swivel head at one end of the arm and connected to the upper end of the stand-pipe for pivotal movement of the arm relative to the stand-pipe horizontally and in a substantially vertical plane, a horizontally disposed carrier pivotally carried by said stand-pipe at the upper end thereof to project laterally therefrom and adapted to be disposed below and limit downward movement of the arm, a stop means adapted to limit horizontal movement of the carrier and the arm and including means for the stand-pipe and a tongue secured to the carrier to engage the pin, and a fluid handling neck pivotally carried by the other end of the arm and adapted to be releasably connected with the said flexible fluid handling duct.

4. A structure applicable to a fluid handling element at a derrick and adapted to conduct fluid to a flexible fluid handling duct including, an elongate substantially vertical stand-pipe releasably connected to said element to project upwardly therefrom adjacent the derrick, mounting means on the stand-pipe releasably engaging the derrick, an elongate rigid tubular fluid handling arm, a fluid handling swivel head at one end of the arm and connected to the upper end of the stand-pipe for pivotal movement of the arm relative to the stand-pipe horizontally and in a substantially vertical plane, a horizontally disposed carrier fixed to the head and pivotally engaged with the stand-pipe and adapted to project laterally from the stand-pipe to swing in a horizontal plane to be disposed below the arm and limit downward movement of the arm, and a fluid handling neck pivotally carried by the other end of the arm and adapted to be releasably connected with the said flexible fluid handling duct.

5. A structure applicable to a fluid handling element at a derrick and adapted to conduct fluid to a flexible fluid handling duct including, an elnogate substantially vertical stand-pipe releasably connected to said element to project upwardly therefrom adjacent the derrick, mounting means on the stand-pipe releasably engaging the derrick, an elongate rigid tubular fluid handling arm, a fluid handling swivel head at one end of the arm and connected to the upper end of the stand-pipe for pivotal movement of the arm relative to the stand-pipe horizontally and in a substantially vertical plane, a horizontally disposed carrier fixed to the head and pivotally engaged with the stand-pipe and adapted to project laterally from the stand-pipe to swing in a horizontal plane to be disposed below the arm and limit downward movement of the arm, a stop means adapted to limit horizontal movement of the carrier and the arm and including a stop pin carried by the structure in fixed relationship to the standpipe and the derrick and a tongue secured to the carrier and engageable with the pin, and a fluid handling neck pivotally carried by the other end of the arm and adapted to be releasably connected with the said flexible fluid handling duct.

6. A structure applicable to a fluid handling element at a derrick and adapted to conduct fluid to a flexible fluid handling duct including, an elongate substantially vertical stand-pipe releasably connected to said element to project upwardly therefrom adjacent the derrick, mounting means on the stand-pipe releasably engaging the derrick, an elongate rigid tubular fluid handling arm, a fluid handling swivel head at one end of the arm and connected to the upper end of the stand-pipe for pivotal movement of the arm relative to the stand-pipe in a substantially vertical plane, a carrier including a horizontally disposed frame pivotally connected to the standpipe and engaged with the head to move horizontally with the arm to be disposed below the arm and limit downward movement of the arm, releasable stop means limiting horizontal movement of the carrier and the arm including a horizontally disposed tongue on the frame and an element carried by the mounting means and engageable with the tongue, said element being shiftable into and out of engagement with the tongue, and a fluid handling neck pivotally carried by the other end of the arm and adapted to be releasably connected with the said flexible fluid handling duct.

7. A structure applicable to a fluid handling element at a derrick and adapted to conduct fluid to a flexible fluid handling duct including, an elongate substantially vertical stand-pipe releasably connected to said element to project upwardly therefrom adjacent the derrick, mounting means on the stand-pipe releasably engaging the derrick, an elongate rigid tubular fluid handling arm, a fluid handling swivel head at one end of the arm and connected to the upper end of the stand-pipe for pivotal movement of the arm relative to the stand-pipe in a substantially vertical plane, a carrier including a horizontally disposed frame pivotally connected to the stand-pipe and engaged with the head to move horizontally with the arm to be disposed below the arm and limit downward movement of the arm, shock absorbing means on the frame adapted to yieldingly check downward movement of the arm as it approaches the carrier, releasably stop means limiting horizontal movement of the carrier and the arm including a horizontally disposed tongue on the frame and an element carried by the mounting means and engageable with the tongue, said element being shiftable into and out of engagement with the tongue, and a fluid handling neck pivotally carried by the other end of the arm and adapted to be releasably connected with the said flexible fluid handling duct.

8. A structure applicable to a fluid handling element at a derrick and adapted to conduct fluid to a flexible fluid handling duct including, an elongate substantially vertical stand-pipe releasably connected to said element to project upwardly therefrom adjacent the derrick, mounting means on the stand-pipe releasably engaging the derrick, an elongate rigid tubular fluid handling arm, a fluid handling swivel head at one end of the arm and connected to the upper end of the stand-pipe for pivotal movement of the arm relative to the stand-pipe horizontally and in a substantially vertical plane, a horizontally disposed carrier fixed to the head and pivotally engaged with the stand-pipe and adapted to project laterally from the stand-pipe to swing in a horizontal plane to be disposed below the arm and limit downward movement of the arm, stop means adapted to limit horizontal movament of the carrier and arm and including, a tongue projecting from the carrier and having spaced stop shoulders, and a releasable stop pin carried by the stand-pipe mount- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 991,501 Graves May 9,

mg means normally yreldmgly held In posltlon to coop- 1,864,816 Hamel. Ju 28, 1932 erate with the shoulders on the tongue, and a fluid han- 1,933,329 Hamelp 12 1933 dling neck pivotally carried by the other end of the arm 1,953,3 3 John o June 19, 1934 and adapted to be releasably connected with the said 1,989,980 Hamel" Feb. 5, 1935 flexible fluid handling duct. 2,509,119 Warren May 23, 1950 

7. A STRUCTURE APPLICABLE TO A FLUID HANDLING ELEMENT AT A DERRICK AND ADAPTED TO CONDUCT FLUID TO A FLEXIBLE FLUID HANDLING DUCT INCLUDING, AN ELONGATE SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL STAND-PIPE RELEASABLY CONNECTED TO SAID ELEMENT TO PROJECT UPWARDLY THEREFROM ADJACENT THE DERRICK, MOUNTING MEANS ON THE STAND-PIPE RELEASABLY ENGAGING THE DERRICK, AN ELONGATE RIGID TUBULAR FLUID HANDLING ARM, A FLUID HANDLING SWIVEL HEAD AT ONE END OF THE ARM AND CONNECTED TO THE UPPER END OF THE STAND-PIPE FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE ARM RELATIVE TO THE STAND-PIPE IN A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL PLANE, A CARRIER INCLUDING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED FRAME PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE STAND-PIPE AND ENGAGED WITH THE HEAD TO MOVE HORIZONTALLY WITH THE ARM TO BE DISPOSED BELOW THE ARM AND LIMIT DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE ARM, SHOCK ABSORBING MEANS ON THE FRAME ADAPTED TO YIELDINGLY CHECK DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE ARM AS IT APPROACHES THE CARRIER, RELEASABLY STOP MEANS LIMITING HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT OF THE CARRIER AND THE ARM INCLUDING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED TONGUE ON THE FRAME AND AN ELEMENT CARRIED BY THE MOUNTING MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE TONGUE, SAID ELEMENT BEING SHIFTABLE INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TONGUE, AND A FLUID HANDLING NECK PIVOTALLY CARRIED BY THE OTHER END OF THE ARM AND ADAPTED TO BE RELEASABLY CONNECTED WITH THE SAID FLEXIBLE FLUID HANDLING DUCT. 